The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-20
THE SHADOW ON THEIR HEARTH
Some Complications that Arose from tho
FamiIy's Efforts to DIspel 1t.

HARRISBURG. Pa, Nov. 19.--Prof. j. R.
Shcrrnrd. Superintendent Of tho Lawrence
county common schools, lives In Shenango
township, that county, in fine residence sur
rounded by orchards and vineyards and fertile
fields The Professors wife and his twenty
year-old son John share his pastoral retreat.
John has won local fame as base ball
umpire. Tho family is happy, and but one
thin: has ever crept in to disturb its peace.
That disturber hasn't crept in exactly either.
Sometimes it has come in with jump over q
flve-rail fence. Sometimes it has unlocked
the garden gate with its horn and stalked In as
unbiushingly as tho lightninG-rod agent. II
the six-foot bars OF the pasture lot have babe
it pause sometimes. it has paused only long
enough to butt down the bars and come In
with II crash. This shadow on the Sherrard
tho township regarded itself as n candidate
at large for u place in Prof. Sherrard's
orchard garden or front XaTd and LIE Loses no
its election sure. III is prediction on the part
Ct the township COW to pass in o and occupy the
menace to domestic tranquility, so to speak.
was tough on the hired man. He had to pro-
test, at all hours. with clubs and stones and an
and it disturbed his SAUNDERS and broke his
rest. SO he resigned a few days ago and left
Tho night after the hired man left Prof. Sher-
rard woke up and heard the tramp OF COWS In
Show s the ebr kline the Quickest t
way off the grounds. the Professor resolved to
70 out and eject them himself, His wife was
This 'ii0 hight shirts enough to have On to
drive COWS out ut midnight" said he. 1T
won't take long, anyhow"
Then the Professor tip-toed out OF the house
and went into the orchard to eyict the cows
Shenango township COWS arc like all other
COWS: They will open u gate or break down a
panel of fence to get into lot. but .when, You
TO ITT the world S hhsy
rods Of broken down fence may yawn for them
and open gates confront them at every turn
spiriting effort to surround and head of IL half
dozen cows that persisted in taking as many
OF orchard fence when his wife awoke and found
him gone. She WAS startled Tor moment. but
remembered the shadow on their hearth.
Cows" she cried, and sprans out OF bed.
saw the awful sight of the Superintendent, Of
his night shirt, chasing impudent and obsti-
nate COWS around and around his orchard
dodgips IKE spectre in and out T am9ng the
"Uh. N.Y. said tho wife, wonder if hadn't
Waiting only long enough 10 sir, or, her
shoes, she hurried put, and presently there
a ers aEo he g@ Of so% in
The Professors wife had not been long with
him in the midnight roundup when Mr.. John
in bod. He listened.
"Cows!" said he.
John got W; Ilg put on his trousers his hat,
-" IN slip out auieily," said he, :" and throw
these cattle oyer ~ fence without waking up
i, He went ont Of the front door; The COM
the desire Of the family that they should 20
away, and they were ,going away lust as John
reached the yard. The COWS were passing
al tnNT ~ hn InI han, all
out. and then turned to reenter tho house,
wheI he saw two white figures coming toward
been reports in that part of the township that
certain persons had, ut different times, seen II
ghost stalking abroad ut midnight. or there
about. now ut one place and then ut another.
John had heard these reports. and when ho
saw the two white figures moving in the or
Ghard he was startled But he wasn't scared.
IIelo!" , SAID , h. 10 hi@sGii; Here's the
Then John. stopped down and picked UP a
speetfes. II whiz.cd past their heads. and md
quick as flash they turned and ran back
fey "a yards and lodged down In a fence corner;
John. and ho began hombarding the fence cor
ner with stones They ratified about ~ on ho tho
shouted ~ deep, masculine voice.,
Hey th9oro! Let up on this or I'll have you
made up his mind 10 90 back and wake his
father up and tell him about II. He, entered
the, Professors, room. The light was burning.
something shot across Johns mind.
Roaring jupiter" he exclaimed, and started
for the yard again. Before he got out OF the
house the back door was thrown open, and two
painting and fiustered figures in white, with
mud ON their clothes, came hurrledly In. They
looked at John, and John looked at them. At
last John snid. In mock surprise:
What In tho worlds tho matter, and whore
"Cowsp exclaimed his mother. and you
ought to be ashamed OF yourself!"
"CowsW exclaimed his father: and you
pack yourself back to bed, sirl"
Than thAY all want To he'd and the ahnhnrv